MB Kirkham

MB Kirkham is a University Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University specializing in crop physiology and soil-plant-water relations. His pioneering research includes quantifying hydraulic lift in plants, developing drought-resistance screening methods for cereals, and documenting long-term heavy metal accumulation in sludge-treated soils.

Key contributions:

• First application of Ohm's law to plant hydraulics
• Defined water potential gradients in semi-dwarf wheat cultivars
• Quantified CO₂ enrichment effects on water-use efficiency
• Documented microgravity impacts on stomatal function
• Analyzed microplastic vectors for cadmium uptake

Current work examines particulate plastic contaminants in agricultural systems and saline irrigation impacts on trace metal mobility.